2 responses to “The difference between ideologies…”

Andy replies: Libertarian: The Government exists only because we allow it to. We have decided that we need it for civil order, and as a defense against those from abroad that would take liberty from us. We are a small minority in the US because we have nut jobs speaking for us. If we could, we would make everything right once again, and return to the doctrines of the Founding Fathers. But we can not, because we are tiny, and we really suck at getting our message out.

Conservative: The Government should protect people from other people.

Andy replies: Conservative: Actually, we don’t know who we are. We did believe in low taxes, limited government, little regulation, and God. But many of us now don’t believe in any of that. In fact, most of our ranks have given up on conservative values. There are a bunch of nut jobs that call themselves “libertarian” who CLAIM to believe in those things. But, they are nut-jobs, and we know better. We do believe that Government should protect people from other people…but who doesn’t?

Liberal: The Government should protect people from themselves.

Andy replies: Liberal: Amen! Only to add that we also believe that people should not protect themselves from other people. (the old switcheroo deal)

Totalitarian/Environmentalist: People exist, but we sure wish they didn’t.

Andy replies: Totalitarian/Environmentalist: Shame on you Time To Choose Again! Of course we want people to exist! What are the lions and tigers going to eat if not us? Sure, they could feast on gazelles, or rhinos. But we are much slower, and don’t put up such a fight.

Alright, Andy, good points, and these brief little descriptors were meant as a sort of “quick and easy” way to describe what these sets of beliefs are ~supposed~ to be about.

“The Government exists only because we allow it to. We have decided that we need it for civil order, and as a defense against those from abroad that would take liberty from us.” This is actually a very good description of everything I like about libertarianism, and why I personally feel much affinity for libertarian sentiments. But as you say, there are these nut jobs…

“Actually, we don’t know who we are.” Fair enough. The Right is undergoing an identity crisis, but what I consider conservative is basically libertarian the way you described, which encompasses my definition of conservative, too.

“We do believe that Government should protect people from other people…but who doesn’t?” Any variation on theme of an anarchist or a person who thinks we need to just “understand” dangerous people. Strangely, some Nanny state liberals who believe in protecting people from themselves don’t seem to believe in locking up child molesters for life (at a minimum) or opposing Islamic extremism in anyway other than sitting down and trying to “understand” it. Thus:

“people should not protect themselves from other people.”

That is, of course, an important add on criteria.

“Of course we want people to exist!” Okay, I enjoyed this bit. But I’m sure you are aware of the misanthropy of much the green movement, as you seem to make an ironic joke about! 🙂